Building comparison
head to head
Fallout: New VegasvsShin Megami Tensei IV
Neither is simply harder - they are hard in different places. Fallout: New Vegas demands more execution; Shin Megami Tensei IV demands more variance.
Fallout: New Vegas
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A faction-driven RPG-shooter where build and route planning shape every ending.
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Handheld SMT where smirk RNG stings but fusion planning and weakness knowledge carry you.
Fallout: New Vegas leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Shin Megami Tensei IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Fallout: New VegasShin Megami Tensei IV
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 1
Fallout: New Vegas leans clearly harder on execution.
Fallout: New Vegas
Shooter inputs with VATS assist
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Menu combat with no execution ceiling.
Reads1 vs 0
Fallout: New Vegas leans a little harder on reads, though the gap is small.
Fallout: New Vegas
Scripted factions and enemies
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Demon negotiation is random personality scripts.
Variance2 vs 5
Shin Megami Tensei IV leans clearly harder on variance.
Fallout: New Vegas
Some loot and crit RNG
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Smirk procs and negotiation RNG swing fights hard.
Optimization8 vs 9
Shin Megami Tensei IV leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Fallout: New Vegas
Faction routing, perks, builds heavily rewarded
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Fusion apps, weakness charts, and builds solve the game.
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.